The Cardinals took a step in the right direction in 2024. They doubled their win total from four to eight. Offensively, they finished with a 1,000-yard rusher and an 1,000-yard receiver combo. However, their end goal of making the playoffs wasn't achieved. That's the next step.
Plenty of players have made an impact, both on and off the field. As voted on by our 13-member panel, here are the Cardinals key players and plays of the 2024 season.
Offensive Player of the Year: Trey McBride (11 votes)
Others receiving votes: James Conner (2)
McBride's 2024 statistics: 111 receptions for 1,146 yards and 2 touchdowns receiving, 1 TD rushing, 1 TD fumble recovery
Voter takes on McBride:
"He is the focal point of the offensive passing game. His numbers alone justify this pick. He has the largest target share for his team of any tight end in the league. He has the best hands on the team. He is dangerous with the ball in his hands -- either running players over or hurdling them. He is also a good if not great blocker, both on the line of scrimmage or moving." -- Kyle Vanden Bosch, Cardinals radio analyst
"His record-setting season has established himself as one of the best tight ends in the football universe. Whenever you speak of George Kittle, Travis Kelce and company, Trey McBride needs to be mentioned as well. And he's a true STUD TE because he likes to block!" – Ron Wolfley, Cardinals color commentator
"Let's not focus on the two receiving touchdowns this year, but rather, how much of a menace tight end Trey McBride was on every other portion of the field. McBride broke so many franchise records it was hard to keep track, even breaking some of his own records, including most receptions in a single season. Despite missing a game early in the season, he managed to eclipse 1,000 yards receiving, proving this passing game started with No. 85. He showcased his run-blocking improvements, his speed across the middle, route-running, strong hands, and refusal to go down on first contact. Throw in his first Pro Bowl nod and the Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination, I'd say McBride had a stellar year." – Dani Sureck, Reporter/Producer
Defensive Player of the Year: Budda Baker (9 votes)
Others receiving votes: Kyzir White (2), Garrett Williams (1), Mack Wilson Sr. (1)
Baker's 2024 statistics: 164 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, 5 passes defended, 1 forced fumble.
Voter takes on Baker:
"It doesn't surprise me when Budda plays like this. For many years, I have been able to see it. I thought Baker was playing differently this season. He proved to us why he is among the NFL's top performers during his contract year." -- Luis Hernandez, Spanish Radio Play-by-Play
"Baker's goal was to disrupt offenses all season and he did it by being all over the field -- including the line of scrimmage. He had a career high 164 tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Baker's speed and physicality shine on the field while his leadership is vital to the culture in the locker room. " -- Jody Jackson, Cardinals radio analyst
"Running out of adjectives to describe the incredible season of No. 3. The heart and soul of the defense who is ALWAYS around the ball." – Rob Fredrickson, Cardinals radio analyst
Newcomer of the Year: Chad Ryland (7 votes)
Others receiving votes: Marvin Harrison Jr. (3), Mack Wilson Sr. (3)
Ryland's 2024 statistics: 28-for-32 on field goals, long of 58 yards, 110 points
Voter takes on Ryland:
"The team appeared to be taking a risk replacing the injured Matt Prater with Ryland, who had been released after a rocky rookie season with the Patriots. Ryland made clutch kick after clutch kick. And like many kickers, solidified himself as an NFL player after failing with his first team." – Kent Somers, Cardinals radio analyst
"The Pro Bowl alternate not only delivered a game-winning field goal at San Francisco just four days after signing with the practice squad, but he also nailed clutch kicks to beat the Chargers and Dolphins. However, most memorable to this sideline reporter – his career-long 58-yarder into a freezing wind at Carolina with :00 on the clock to force OT." – Paul Calvisi, Reporter/Host
"Chad Ryland plays one of the toughest positions in sports. There is no gray area with a kicker. You are either the hero or out of a job. Ryland got a second chance this season with the Cardinals, and made the most of it with several game-winning kicks, proving his long-term worth with Arizona." – Dave Pasch, Radio Play-by-Play
Play of the Year: Kyler Murray 50-yard touchdown run vs San Francisco (4 votes)
Others receiving votes: Kyler Murray touchdown pass to Elijah Higgins vs Rams (3), Marvin Harrison Jr.'s first touchdown vs Rams (3), Marvin Harrison Jr.'s second touchdown vs Rams (1), Emari Demercado 53-yard touchdown run vs Bears (1), James Conner forced fumble vs Chargers (1)
Voter takes on Murray's 50-yard touchdown run vs 49ers:
"With this play K1 showed why he is one of the most dynamic players in the league. He was celebrating the touchdown at the 45-yard line, basically saying, 'You can't stop me.'" – Irving Villanueva, Bilingual Producer/Spanish Color Analyst
"His legs are a luxury, right? Kyler Murray showed off his legs, and better yet, his speed against the San Francisco 49ers. On the team's second offensive play of the game, Murray took the shotgun snap, faked the handoff to James Conner, and began to run. He didn't stop running until he reached the end zone, calling his shot at the 43-yard line knowing full well no defender was going to catch him. Murray reached a top speed of 21.27 mph, according to Next Gen Stats; the fastest by a quarterback as a ball carrier in the past eight seasons." – Craig Grialou, Digital Content Coordinator
Beyond the Box Score Player of the Year: Hjalte Froholdt (3 votes)
Others receiving votes: Garrett Williams (2), Kyzir White (2), Kelvin Beachum (1), Roy Lopez (1), Budda Baker (1), Mack Wilson Sr. (1), L.J. Collier (1), Aaron Brewer (1),
"Anchored an offensive line that paved the way (#CramItVertical) to not only the second-highest yards per carry (5.29) in the league but also shattered the previous highest single-season rushing average in team history. What's more, the Cards ran for at least 150 yards nine times while starting nine different offensive line combinations. Starting all 17 games, the Desert Viking was akin to the Atlas Stones he likes to hoist in his home gym – the rock of the Arizona OL." -- Paul Calvisi, Reporter/Host
"Hjalte Froholdt is probably the most underrated player on the Cardinals. A security blanket for Kyler Murray and a big part of the Cardinals run game." – Dave Pasch, Radio Play-by-Play
Most Valuable Cardinal: James Conner (6 votes)
Others receiving votes: Trey McBride (3), Budda Baker (3), Kyler Murray (1)
Conner's 2024 statistics: 236 carries for 1,094 yards, 8 rushing touchdowns; 47 receptions for 414 receiving yards, 1 touchdown.
"Running back James Conner was the engine of the offense. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the second straight year and was one of the top backs in the league in missed tackles forced, debunking the theory running backs automatically fade over time. He is everything you could want in a starting running back: a tough downhill runner who wants the ball in his hands every chance he gets and makes an impact when he has that opportunity. Conner's dedication to his craft is top-notch and sets the tone for everyone around him. It's telling both sides not only wanted to reach a contract agreement but were able to before the season even ended. That says a lot about the mutual respect and desire for Conner to be in Arizona." – Dani Sureck, Reporter/Producer
"If this wasn't obvious already, Conner's spot for this award was crystallized in Carolina, in what proved to be Conner's last significant work of the season. He had 166 total yards before a mid-third quarter knee injury, and seemingly was headed for 200 to spearhead an important Cardinals' comeback. There was little doubt that had Conner stayed healthy, the Cardinals would have won that crucial game instead of coming up just short. He had a career-best 1,094 yards rushing, and more importantly, you can see the difference with the Cardinals when he plays well vs. when he is hemmed in vs. when he can't play at all. A guy the Cards extended to make sure he's still around, and for good reason." – Darren Urban, Director, Editorial Content/Senior Writer
"In 2023, Jonathan Gannon described James Conner as 'The Blueprint.' In 2024, he continued to prove why he's worthy of that title. Conner is a fighter, a workhorse, and the ultimate competitor. His desire to find a way to play against the Rams, despite getting banged up the week prior, proves how much he loves the game. The Cardinals go as James Conner goes. It's no surprise why in the eight games James Conner had 100-plus scrimmage yards, the Cardinals won six. He's a player that guys on both sides of the ball look to, and while he can sometimes be quiet, when No. 6 speaks, everybody listens." -- Zach Gershman, staff writer/reporter
